Copper One Penny Token, minted by Pope & Co, Birmingham. Issued by E. De Carle & Co, Grocers & Spirit Merchant, Melbourne, circa 1853. Surcharged H.G. Mr. E. De Carle arrived in Australia in 1849. Over the following fourteen years he was involved in a wide range of business ventures in Melbourne, taking advantage of the explosive growth caused by the gold rush. He later moved to New Zealand, where he died. De Carle's three different tokens, which featured his business as 'Grocers and Spirit Merchants,' 'Auctioneers and Land Agents' and 'Auctioneers, etc.,' indicated the range of his business activities and speculation. He was also involved in the urbanisation of Footscray and a section of Brunswick. De Carle operated his businesses with a number of partners, in a network of business dealings.

Previous Collections: National Gallery of Victoria

Description:

A round copper token (34 mm diameter) giving the name address and business of the issuer: E. DeCarle & Co, Melbourne and Plenty, grocers and spirit merchants. The token features on the reverse Britannia seated facing left on a rock against which rests a shield decorated with the Union Jack. Britannia extends an olive branch in her right hand and rests a trident from her left. A crudely illustrated three-masted sailing ship is on the horizon at left. This token has been cleaned, varnished and surcharged H.G.

Britannia seated facing left on a rock against which rests a shield decorated with the Union Jack. Britannia extends an olive branch (with twelve leaves) in her right hand and rests a trident from her left. A three-masted sailing ship is on the horizon at left; above, BRITANNIA; surcharged H.G.